World War II Honoree

William A. Pace

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Waterbury, Connecticut

Honored By

Mary Pace, Andrea, Marie, Patricia & William

Relationship

Wife, Daughters and Son

PROUDLY SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 390TH BOMB GROUP, 570TH BOMB SQUADRON AS THE BALL TURRET GUNNER ON A B-17 BOMBER. ON HIS 12TH BOMBING MISSION, ANOTHER BOMBER CAUGHT FLACK OVER MERSEBURG, GERMANY AND CRASHED INTO HIS FLYING FORTRESS. HE BAILED OUT OF HIS CRIPPLED B-17. HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS AFTER LANDING IN ENEMY TERRITORY. HE WAS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG LUFT 1 IN BARTH, GERMANY UNTIL HE WAS LIBERATED BY RUSSIANS. AT LE HAVRE, FRANCE, HE MET WITH GENERAL EISENHOWER. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL AND PEACE MEDAL.